Ben's Regular Cab Build/Travel Log

Looks like you are having a great summer Ben.

 

Hey , from Cali .

Buddy I just started looking at your thread and gotta say I love it !
Your truck is looking awesome and I like your attitude !
I'll be following along !

 

Holy cow , your parents raised you well.

 

Lol the camera girl got all " Blair witch " with the camera .

 

Wish I had never sold my 04 DBLC TRD OR!
This thread is making me miss it

 

I love Chattanooga !! Lived in Tennessee for awhile ! Sorry all the posts in a row , but this is the best thread on TW I've seen .

 

Thanks, Mike!

 

Incredible so far! How has yours been?

 

Good to hear. Has been good, not as good as yours.
Mine has been a fishing/beer summer, as the gut shows.

 

One more from Imogene

 

Looks awesome.

 

Great pictures! Looks like an awesome trip!

So what are you using for gear storage on this trip? Every time I see your truck it looks empty with a bike on the back. Looking for ideas on how to maximize space in my standard cab.

 

All of my stuff that I have with me fits in a Plano box that stays in the bed, a 60L pack, behind the seat or in my daypack. I've got a big 100L cooler that I'll throw in sometimes but that size is overkill for 1 or 2 people. My pack probably isn't in most of the pictures. Just plan on wearing the same thing a lot and you can travel pretty light!

The Plano box is great because it's easy to take out if I don't need the space or need the full length of the bed for my motorcycle or because I want to sleep back there. It was also pretty inexpensive and stays totally dry.

What are you doing for storage in your Reg cab?

 

I have a toolbox I bought off Craigslist for $20. But this is mostly for tools and my.power tank. Also have my hilift mounted to it.

Thinking about fabbing a rack and buying a rooftop cargo carrier to store gear. They are cheap on CL too.

 

Hey buddy, we need some updates .

 

Update is not that interesting:

I'm back on the East Coast for the time being. In Philly for the next month or so for work. The truck is in storage in Denver waiting for me to (hopefully permanently) return west.

 

Maybe you can start planning your return west . I have found myself in the same type situation in my life. Being somewhere I really did not want to be.
I kept looking for the job where I wanted to be, and planning the things I wanted to do once I got there. Only thing the kept my spirits up, and my sanity at least half way intact! Lol ....you will get where you want to be judging from your previous posts your a pretty driven and positive person!

Good luck friend .

 

Thanks, I appreciate that. And I shouldn't say the update isn't that interesting. I like my work a lot and I like the east coast too. It just makes for way less interesting truck stories and pictures! But, yes... always having the next adventure west lined up never hurts morale either.

 

Good good . Glad your happy, look forward to future posts Ben.

 

Hey TW - I need your suggestions!

A friend and I are spending 5 days driving from Pheonix to Denver in a few weeks. There are a million things to see between those two cities and I'm sure we could spend 5 days in any single place so, tough decisions must be made!

Does anyone have specific recommendations for great trails to run, hikes or campsites anywhere along that route? Anything you've got is appreciated.

Here is what is currently on the (already too long) list:

• Sedona, AZ - Cathedral Rock hike, lots of off-road trails
• Grand Canyon NP - I've been to the south rim and have hiked to the river and back. would love to Check out the North Rim
• Antelope Canyon
• Horseshoe Bend
• The Wave - Need to get a permit through a lottery
• Monument Valley - A bunch of back roads and small hikes and really cool rock formations. Anyone have specifics here?
• San Juan River/River House - Off-road trail to a really pretty camp on the river and a cliff house/petroglyphs
• Bear's Ears - Technically River House is in Bear's ears but there's a ton of other backpacking and camping in the area too. Again, if you have specific suggestions I would love to hear them.
• Canyonlands NP - I've done Elephant Hill before. I would go back to that part of the park. I'd also be happy exploring the Maze.
• Arches NP - Delicate Arch and all the really famous arches

After that, it's a decent haul from Moab to Denver. Does anyone have a favorite mountain town or camp spot between those two places?